Leaf-Tip Royal Icing Bows

Over the years I’ve turned from an obsessive compulsive cookie decorator into a “make it work” kind of gal. Once upon a time I might have mixed two or three consistencies of icing to create the perfect detail.

These days, I’ve adopted a much more relaxed decorating style. Leaf tip royal icing bows are one of my favorite ways to add a little pizazz with minimal effort on my part.

Leaf bows should always begin with a little planning. Until you’re comfortable with the technique, it’s a good idea to pre-mark points A and B {beginning points} with a pushpin or edible marker. To prove my point, look closely at the first photo. I didn’t exactly want the bow where it ended up, I just didn’t plan well before piping.

Anywho…beginning at point A, pipe a leaf pulling it to a tip midway between the points.

Beginning at point B, repeat the previous step connecting the two leaves at the midpoint.

If necessary, use a toothpick or boo-boo stick to level the connecting point before moving on.

To finish up, use a #2 or #3 tip to add a dot to the center.

Here’s another visual just for good measure.

And because it’s my nature to over-explain…

Royal icing bows are a quick way to dress up many cookie designs. Experiment with different tips and icing consistencies until you find what works for you. I used looser piping icing to make the “bubbly” bows here.

This technique also translates well to royal icing transfers but it’s important to connect the leaves at a wider point. This strengthens the bows, making them less likely to snap when removed.

Another fantastic, easy, creative decorating trick that most of us would never think of without your guidance. Thanks.

Guess I won’t be needing to my a mold for making bows! thanks for the tip 🙂

SOOO cute! I actually love how the leaf tip gives the bow a little shape and makes it look more 3D – like the actual fabric ripples/folds when you do tie a real bow, especially out of wide ribbon. Thanks for the tutorial!

I love this low-key approach to bows and just the idea of moving away from nit-picky-ness to makin’ it work. I’m teetering between the two right now as I’ve got less and less time, being pregnant and having a toddler. At the same time, I’m drawn to get things *just* so 🙂 I think I’ll take a cue from you and let myself slide into a more mellow cookie-making perspective!

Hugs
Vera

Thanks for encouraging me!

Another great tip! I love that it doesn’t require making another RI consistency, and that you don’t have to wait for the ends to set before you pipe the center knot. Plus, there’s something “realistic” about the waviness of these bows over the pipe-and-flood type.

Not only is this a helpful tip that makes a cute bow but the cookies are really cute too.

I never knew I would love an apple and a chocolate chip cookie so much!

OMG This Idea could not have come at a better time! I have to add bows to my owl cookies in the Morning to make them girly and I cannot wait to try this out! Thank you so much for sharing all that you do. Your timing is perfect, I had a baby shower to do right after Samantha did her guest post on your blog and the dresses came out so cute with the bell cutter.

If it’s okay, can I say that I have been hoping and praying that you’ll publish a book featuring all your amazing cookie decorating advice one day.
Please, please, please do this one day, You are the most amazing cookie decorator in the world!

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Oh oh, oh yeah!!!

These are so cute!!! I love the little beauty mark on the apple.

Your nerdy bookworm cookies are among my all-time favorite cookies EVER, and these cookies are a sister set to those! I really appreciate your detailed tutorials (I never think you over-explain – the more examples and visuals the better.) The birthmark on the female cookies and apples is perfection. Such a small detail adds so much sass and personality. Love ’em!

You are my hero. Have I said that enough already? Are you tired of hearing that? I just can’t stop saying it!!

Hi there, I just recently found your royal icing recipe and tutorials and I bookmarked it, and then came back to looking around the site and found this and while i obsess over bows and totally LOVE the bow, I also love the glasses! Adorable!!